1
as in occultism
the power to control natural forces through supernatural means
… an alchemy that changed metals rarer than gold into elements more baneful than lead.—
James Gleick
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2
as in magic
the power to do something impressive in a way that seems mysterious or supernatural
They marveled at the digital alchemy that turns lines of computer code into a beautiful user interface.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of alchemy
But the alchemy that makes Romancelandia work (and makes its authors a real living) may prove to be unrepeatable outside this particular community, whose members gather for reasons far beyond mutual commercial support.
—Rebecca Ackermann, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2025
While fans and pundits stroke their chins and ponder Arsenal’s attacking alchemy, their defensive record is perhaps taken for granted.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
This is what passes as development these days, and what comes out of the Chad Powers process is mostly lousy, a corporate exercise in content alchemy that plays like a coloring book where the outlines are already drawn.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Largely touted as one of the best games ever made, Hades has inspired many imitators, many of which only superficially comprehend the special alchemy of design elements that makes the indie actioner so effective.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alchemy
Rebecca Ackermann, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2025
While fans and pundits stroke their chins and ponder Arsenal’s attacking alchemy, their defensive record is perhaps taken for granted.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
This is what passes as development these days, and what comes out of the Chad Powers process is mostly lousy, a corporate exercise in content alchemy that plays like a coloring book where the outlines are already drawn.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Largely touted as one of the best games ever made, Hades has inspired many imitators, many of which only superficially comprehend the special alchemy of design elements that makes the indie actioner so effective.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alchemy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alchemy
Noun
-
The relationship between the Nazis and the occult wasn’t black or white, but according to historian Eric Kurlander, Nazism and various branches of occultism became noticeably intertwined almost immediately after the founding of the National Socialist German Workers Party in 1919.—
Angelica Frey,
JSTOR Daily,
8 Oct. 2025
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Pynchon’s daunting masterpiece, a white whale of a Great American Novel, is stuffed with pun-tastic songs, rocket science and World War II-era occultism.—
John Lopez,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But that's all thanks to some TV magic, as contestants who chose the wrong slides didn't actually fall at all.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Nov. 2025
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Speaking of magic, this edition naturally features plenty of it.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Don’t be afraid to explore the many layers and sensual sorcery surrounding this transit.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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And then at some point, the movie turns into a full-on tale of modern-age sorcery, shifting from its historical roots into an arthouse genre flick replete with fire and demons.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Set in Salem, Massachusetts, the third season will dive deeper into the mythology of witchcraft, introduce new ‘spellbound’ families and feature some of the historical happenings of Salem, the infamous town of witch trials and folklore.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
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Inspired by his studies of witchcraft and medieval witch hunts, Danish director Benjamin Christensen made this unclassifiable film that moves freely between straightforward accounts of witchcraft and alternately eerie and hilarious depictions of orgiastic Satan worship and other sinister deeds.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Now, thanks to their design wizardry, the property has been deftly transformed into one five-bedroom, seven-bath retreat that’s understated and approachable with a relaxed floor plan.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
6 Oct. 2025
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So who knows what kind of pelvic floor wizardry she’s been whipping up this time around?—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Alchemy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alchemy. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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